A $100m financing mechanism has been established to study and implement development projects, including dams, in southern Nile Basin countries, as Cairo seeks to expand water and development cooperation across the region.
The mechanism has an initial allocation of $100m and will support projects based on the priorities of participating countries, the Foreign and Irrigation Ministries said in a joint statement.
Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Water Resources and Irrigation Minister Hani Sewilam reviewed the initiative during a meeting focused on relations with Nile Basin countries and coordination on regional and international water issues.
The ministers said Egyptian projects across the basin include dams, most recently Tanzania’s Julius Nyerere hydropower project, as well as solar-powered groundwater wells and stations, river docks, water-storage facilities, rainfall forecasting centres and water-quality laboratories.
Other programmes include flood protection, aquatic weed control, training and capacity building.
The two ministers said Cairo wants to turn cooperation with Nile Basin countries into projects with tangible development benefits, in line with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and Africa Water Vision 2063.
At the same time, the ministers reiterated Egypt’s rejection of what they described as unilateral measures that violate international law in the eastern Nile Basin.
They said transboundary Nile waters should be managed according to international law, including the principles of avoiding harm and cooperation through prior notification, consultation and consensus.
The ministers said protecting Egypt’s water security did not conflict with the development aspirations of other Nile Basin countries, adding that Cairo would take measures available under international law to protect its water rights.
The meeting also covered preparations for the 2026 UN Water Conference, where Egypt and Japan are co-chairing the third interactive dialogue, “Water for the Planet”, and are working on initiatives intended to move from policy discussions towards implementation.
Officials also discussed preparations for Egypt to host UNCCD COP18 in 2028, with plans to link efforts to combat drought and desertification more closely with water and food security, particularly in African countries.
